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Harris County Public Health (HCPH) makes it easy for county residents to register for our COVID-19 vaccination waitlist. Vaccines are free and registration is open to all residents.

To get your COVID-19 vaccination:

1. Register at vacstrac.hctx.net or call (832) 927-8787 Mon-Sat 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
2. Provide the required information by phone or online.
3. You will receive a waitlist confirmation by phone, text or email.
4. Residents are randomly selected to receive the vaccine. Currently, anyone 16yrs+ can get the Pfizer vaccine and anyone 18yrs+ can get the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.
5. When selected, you will receive an email, text or call to make a vaccine appointment.
6. Make you vaccine appointment within 48 hours of initial contact.
7. Go to the specified HCPH vaccine site at the date and time of your appointment to receive the vaccine.
8. Get your vaccine. HCPH will contact you to schedule the second dose.
9. Continue to wear a mask, wash your hands and watch you distance even AFTER you’ve received the COVID-19 vaccine.

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Houston Health Department Offering 7,900 COVID-19 Vaccination Appointments Slots for Week of April 12 

Appointments are only confirmed upon receipt of an email or text message and confirmation numbers/QR codes will be verified on site. People who show up without confirmed appointments will be turned away.

People can learn about new health department appointment opportunities through email, text message, voice call, or mobile app push notification by registering for the HoustonRecovers subscription of AlertHouston at AlertHouston.org.

Additional information is available at HoustonEmergency.org/covid19

The Houston Health Department is opening 3,000 additional COVID-19 vaccination appointment slots for April 1-3, 2021.

The appointments are for first doses of Moderna vaccine at Reed Road Parking Lot (2098 Reed Rd.), the department’s new drive thru site with Curative.  

People age 18 and older can visit curative.com/search to self-register for appointments on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. 

Appointments are only confirmed upon receipt of an email or text message and confirmation numbers/QR codes will be verified on site. People who show up without confirmed appointments will be turned away.

The new site will tentatively operate Wednesdays through Saturdays with an initial capacity of 1,000 doses daily, based on supply.

People can learn about new health department appointment opportunities through email, text message, voice call, or mobile app push notification by registering for the HoustonRecovers subscription of AlertHouston at AlertHouston.org. 

Additional information is available at HoustonEmergency.org/covid19. 

In early April, FEMA will begin providing financial assistance for funeral expenses incurred after Jan. 20, 2020 for deaths related to coronavirus (COVID-19) to help ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the pandemic. The policy was finalized today, and FEMA is now moving rapidly to implement this funeral assistance program nationwide.

To be eligible for COVID-19 funeral assistance, the policy states:

• The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses after Jan. 20, 2020 for a death attributed to COVID-19.
• If multiple individuals contributed toward funeral expenses, they should apply under a single application as applicant and co-applicant. FEMA will also consider documentation from other individuals not listed as the applicant and co-applicant who may have incurred funeral expenses as part of the registration for the deceased individual. 
• An applicant may apply for multiple deceased individuals.
• The COVID-19-related death must have occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories and the District of Columbia.

• This assistance is limited to a maximum financial amount of $9,000 per funeral and a maximum of $35,500 per application.  
• Funeral assistance is intended to assist with expenses for funeral services and interment or cremation.

In the coming weeks, a dedicated 800 number will be established to help individuals who apply. In the meantime, potential applicants are encouraged to start gathering the following documentation:

• An official death certificate that attributes the death to COVID-19 and shows that the death occurred in the U. S. The death certificate must indicate the death “may have been caused by” or “was likely the result of” COVID-19 or COVID-19 like symptoms. Similar phrases that indicate a high likelihood of COVID-19 are considered sufficient attribution.
• Funeral expense documents (receipts, funeral home contract, etc.) that include the applicant’s name, the deceased individual’s name, the amount of funeral expenses, and the dates the funeral expenses were incurred.
• Proof of funds received from other sources specifically for use toward funeral costs. Funeral assistance may not duplicate benefits received from burial or funeral insurance, financial assistance received from voluntary agencies, federal/state/local/tribal/territorial government programs or agencies, or other sources.

More information regarding this assistance can be found at COVID-19 Funeral Assistance | FEMA.gov

• Watch the Virtual Groundbreaking Ceremony
• Read the HBJ article 

HOUSTON, TX (Tuesday, March 23, 2021) – The Harris County Housing Authority (HCHA), Harris County – Community Services Department (HCCSD), Harris County Precinct One Commissioner Rodney Ellis, the Texas General Land Office (GLO), and the development partner LDG Development (LDG) celebrate the groundbreaking of Northwood Apartments, a multifamily development located at 12620 Eastex Freeway to replace housing lost during Hurricane Harvey. The development is financed with Harris County’s Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds in conjunction with private financing from Citi Community Capital and AEGON USA Realty Advisors, LLC.

This $53.9 million community’s groundbreaking will commence the development of 288 beautiful new apartment units for families seeking quality housing near the Eastex Freeway in the Shelvin Acres community. 

“We are honored to partner with LDG Development to build much-needed quality housing that is affordable for working families,” said Horace Allison, AIA, Executive Director and CEO of Harris County Housing Authority. “Northwood Apartments will replace housing resources lost during Hurricane Harvey and provide not only a place to live but the facilities and services to improve the lives of the families who will call this community home.”

Northwood Apartments will provide a wide array of amenities to the families it serves, including a swimming pool with a sun deck, a playground, and picnic/grilling areas.

“This project is one of sixteen the Harris County Community Services Department is supporting with the use of HUD CDBG Disaster Recovery funds in the effort to replenish housing stock lost from several past disasters,” said CSD Director Dr. Adrienne Holloway.  “These developments provide a significant investment in the effort to provide affordable housing for all who live and work in north Harris County.”

The apartments are expected to begin leasing in 2022, offering a mix of one, two, three, and four-bedroom units. Rents will range from $396 to $865 for a one-bedroom/one-bath unit, $475 to $1,033 for a two-bedroom/two-bath, $551 to $1,240 for a three-bedroom/two-bath unit and $613 to $1,362 for a four-bedroom /two-bath unit.

“We are in a housing crisis. Families who were first displaced by natural disasters like Hurricane Harvey are now facing difficulty staying in the places they grew up because of rising costs,” said Harris County Precinct One Commissioner Rodney Ellis. “As we face the economic impacts of COVID-19, which is placing additional strain on families, I am proud that we are coming together to bring new, quality housing units for Harris County families.”

This development will serve residents at incomes below 80% of area median income and is just one in an ongoing HCHA development program to work with private and public partners to address the housing shortage in Harris County.

“The Texas General Land Office is committed to helping Texas communities recover from the widespread damage caused by Hurricane Harvey,” said Heather Lagrone, Director of Disaster Recovery, Texas General Land Office. “This community is one of many multifamily developments the GLO is funding with long-term disaster recovery assistance to restore affordable rental housing for Texas families. We are very pleased these funds will provide an additional 288 units of quality housing for families in Harris County.”

The total development cost for the new community is $53.9 million, comprised of $42.4 million in private funding provided by Citibank Community Capital and AEGON USA Realty Advisors, LLC, and $11.5 million provided by Harris County Community Services Department using Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery funds from the Texas General Land Office.

“Access to quality, safe, and affordable housing helps families achieve many of the goals they have in life. Whether it is ensuring their children can thrive in school and pursue a post-secondary degree or certification; or pursuing a new job that will provide for greater financial stability; access to quality housing can help change the trajectory of a family’s life. That is why LDG remains committed to bringing more affordable housing to communities like Harris County that share this belief and are focused on helping more families find a place they can be proud to call home,” said Dru Childre, Development Coordinator LDG Development.

HCHA is currently developing more than 650 additional housing units scheduled to be brought into the Harris County housing rental market in 2022 to replace housing lost in Hurricane Harvey.

The Houston Health Department’s COVID-19 vaccine waitlists are open to people age 65 and older and people age 16 and older with chronic health conditions. 

• Register online for the Moderna/Pfizer waitlist.
• Register online for the Johnson & Johnson waitlist.

Registration is also available by calling:

• Area Agency on Aging (People 60 and older): 832-393-4301.
• Aging and Disability Resource Center (People with disabilities): 832-393-5500.
• COVID-19 Call Center (additional assistance): 832-393-4220.

Join the Harris County Public Health waitlist at ReadyHarris.org or by calling 832-927-8787.

Brenda Sanchez has been with the Harris County Housing Authority for more than three years. When asked about her work at HCHA, Brenda is quick to tell you that the opportunity to serve and help others is an honor and gives her an adrenaline rush that keeps her striving to be her best servant that she can every day. With that same level of enthusiasm, the HCHA designates Brenda Sanchez as the HCHA Employee of the Quarter.

“The thing I like the most about my job is being able to help people,” said Brenda. “Especially now during the pandemic, we have a lot of people coming here from out of town, and I like it when I can help them find safe quality housing in which to call Houston home.”

Nominated by HCHA supervisors, Brenda was chosen for her enthusiasm for her work, healthy relationships with her co-workers, and consistently offering innovative solutions to streamline daunting processes.

“Brenda always goes above and beyond her designated job duties to make the HCHA an outstanding service deliverer. She is very knowledgeable in all aspects of the Inspections Department and can execute all tasks with excellence and commitment,” said Beverly Burroughs, Director of Program Quality and Inspections. “She takes the initiative to complete all tasks assigned with little or no supervision, as well as always looking for ways to improve HCHA’s inspection protocols.”

As an Inspections Assistant, Brenda is responsible for ensuring landlord and participant issues, concerns, and queries regarding the why, what, when, and how of the inspection processes are addressed promptly. She also schedules initial, annual, and special inspections, perform rent-reasonable evaluations, and performs rental increase requests for other housing authorities, in addition to providing administrative support for the HCV Inspections Department and conducting housing inspections to ensure compliance with HUD regulations.

“Brenda is a team player and can fill any position in the inspections department,” said Debra McCray, Housing Choice Voucher Director. “She is crossed-trained in the call center, records technician, and intake, giving her an extraordinary ability to work with her peers and management, which is a quality her co-workers emulate. She sets her expectations high and tackles assigned tasks until each is completed efficiently and accurately.”

The purpose of the Employee of the Quarter designation is to recognize an employee who has made a significant contribution to the Harris County Housing Authority.

“Brenda provides excellent service to HCHA’s clients and landlords while presenting a positive and professional attitude every day,” said Horace Allison, CEO and Executive Director of the Harris County Housing Authority. “I am proud to recognize her for her outstanding achievements at HCHA.”

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Be a resident of public housing or a participant in the Section 8 program in which you are living.
• Be a graduating high school senior. (You can not have graduated in the previous year or be in college already for this scholarship. It is intended to help high school seniors get started immediately in college).
• Demonstrate exceptional school attendance.
• Demonstrate high academic achievement.
• Demonstrate leadership and/or high level of motivation.
• Be a resident of a Housing Authority/ or Community Development (CD) agency that is a member of TXNAHRO

REQUIREMENTS:

• Housing Agency Certification signed by the Executive Director of the housing agency in which you reside. (click here to download form)
• Transcript or certified copy of grades with grade point average and scale used – whether 4 pt. scale, 5 pt. scale, etc., class rank/size, proficiency test scores (TAKS, etc., whatever standardized testing system is used and ACT and/or SAT scores, if taken).  It is very important to include all the above information so that all scholarship applicants can be evaluated on the same criteria.
• TWO letters of recommendation; one from a community leader and one from a high school instructor.
• One (1) recent photo (if a professional photo is not available, even a cell-phone selfie will be accepted, if a better quality portrait is unavailable). This is very important for the awards ceremony!
• *NEW*Please submit a 3 minute or less video of yourself describing your short and long-term goals in life, why you are pursuing your particular college degree or vocational training program and an achievement or an event in your life that has been especially significant.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED—THEY WILL BE REJECTED

THE APPLICATION AND RELATED MATERIAL MUST BE POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN February 19, 2021

Submit Application Here

Want to learn more about the #COVID19 vaccine? Watch the video below to hear from doctors working in and around the world’s largest medical center why they got their shot. Learn more about how to protect yourself and others. Video courtesy of Housing for Houston.

As part of the Groundbreaking for the Hollows, HCHA CEO and Executive Director Horace Allison and representatives from LDG Development shared their thoughts on how quality housing helps our community.